Risk and Compliance Specialist P3

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF employs a large workforce dedicated to serving children and communities globally, fostering a culture of inclusivity and belonging.

Job Overview:
The Risk and Compliance Specialist will work under the supervision of the Chief Risk Management to support the Integrated Risk Management team. The role focuses on enhancing risk management and compliance efforts within the West and Central Africa (WCA) Regional Office. The specialist will be responsible for implementing partnership management related to both program and operations, ensuring that risk data quality and integrity are maintained. This position requires a proactive approach to consolidating and analyzing regional risk trends, strengthening risk management capabilities at the country level, and conducting control testing and reviews. The specialist will also support assurance activities, standardize tools and methodologies, monitor risk actions across countries, and enhance risk reporting at the regional level, including identifying early warning signals.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensure risk data quality and integrity assurance across the region.
• Consolidate and analyze regional risk trends to inform decision-making.
• Strengthen the capability and quality of risk management at the country level.
• Conduct control testing and reviews to assess compliance and effectiveness.
• Support assurance activities to ensure adherence to policies and procedures.
• Standardize tools and methodologies for risk management across the region.
• Monitor risk actions across countries to ensure timely implementation.
• Enhance risk reporting at the regional level to provide insights to stakeholders.
• Identify and report early warning signals at the regional level to mitigate potential risks.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in fields such as Business Administration, Financial Management, Development Studies, International Development, Economics, Auditing, or Project/Programme Management. A minimum of 5 years of continuous professional work experience in Risk and Compliance, program development/management, or a directly relevant area is required, with several years in internal audit. Skills in Risk Management, Compliance, Programme Implementation, Reporting, and Financial Controls are essential.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in relevant fields is mandatory. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of risk management and compliance in a global context, particularly within humanitarian and development settings.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of relevant professional experience, particularly in Risk and Compliance, program development, and management. Experience in internal audit is highly valued, as is familiarity with financial management and the implementation of financial control systems. Candidates should have a proven track record of working in international organizations, NGOs, or UN agencies, particularly in fragile or humanitarian contexts.

Languages:
Fluency in both French and English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is considered an asset, enhancing communication and collaboration in diverse environments.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and may involve international recruitment. UNICEF offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. The organization emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy towards misconduct and is committed to safeguarding the rights of children. Candidates must comply with medical clearance and vaccination requirements as mandated by UNICEF. The recruitment process includes rigorous background checks, and selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UNICEF's standards and principles.